Darnold-Smith-Njigba Duo Drives Seahawks to NFC Top Seed

Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have formed the top quarterback-receiver pair in the NFL this season. Their passes and catches powered the Seattle Seahawks to a 14-3 regular season record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. This gives Seattle a first-round bye and home-field advantage at Lumen Field for the divisional round matchup.

Background

The Seahawks traded away Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason. They signed Sam Darnold soon after. Darnold, who had bounced around teams for years, got his biggest chance yet in Seattle. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, picked 20th overall in the 2023 draft out of Ohio State, had shown promise but faced questions about his size and speed coming out of high school. Big programs like Texas and Texas A&M passed on him early.

Darnold and Smith-Njigba started building their chemistry in April minicamps. They studied film together and talked football over meals in the team cafeteria. They also shared stories about life in the league. This bond grew through training camp and into the regular season. By November, Smith-Njigba had already topped 1,000 receiving yards. He kept going, finishing with league-leading numbers.

Smith-Njigba's college days included a standout Rose Bowl game with 347 yards. But he felt overlooked in the draft despite that. In Seattle, he hit 1,000 yards in two of his first three pro seasons. This year stood out with nearly 1,800 yards total. Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. His steady play helped Seattle win tough games, including a Week 18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers to lock in the top seed.

Past seasons brought hurdles for both. Darnold struggled in big spots. Last year with Minnesota, he lost a chance at the NFC North title to Detroit, going 18 of 41 for 166 yards. In the wild-card playoff game against the Rams, he took nine sacks in a 27-9 defeat. Smith-Njigba dealt with high expectations that sometimes fell short. Their shared drive to prove doubters wrong brought them closer.

Key Details

Smith-Njigba ended the 2025 season as the NFL's receiving yards leader with 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. Darnold targeted him often in key moments. One play showed their timing: Darnold threw a bullet two feet behind Smith-Njigba, who caught it over his shoulder while shrugging off a defender. The ball carried him into the end zone.

Standout Connections

In Week 12 against Tennessee, Darnold hit Smith-Njigba for a 13-yard touchdown. It was their second score that day. Another highlight came deep against Arizona. Darnold went long, and Smith-Njigba beat coverage for a 43-yard touchdown on the opening drive. He got one-on-one matchup thanks to pressure up front.

A 27-yard dart into Rams territory during the season flipped field position. These plays happened about seven times per game. They broke through defenses and kept drives alive. Smith-Njigba's hands stayed active even in traffic. His eyes locked on the ball no matter the contact.

"It's been a long time since I've been able to turn my head and the ball is right there. I've been missing that for some years. For us to be on the same page… that's elite-level ball." – Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Darnold trusted Smith-Njigba to find his spot without looking back. This let him throw with confidence. Their work paid off in low-scoring wins too, like the 13-10 clincher over the 49ers. Seattle scored just enough behind their passes.

What This Means

The duo's success silenced talk that the Seahawks played dull football. Their flashes of brilliance added edge to a team built on steady execution. Seattle now hosts the divisional round at home, a big edge in the playoffs. Lumen Field's crowd can push them forward.

For Darnold, this is his best shot at a deep run. His first playoff start last year ended badly, but a full offseason in one system has sharpened his game. Smith-Njigba wants to ease Darnold's job and show he belongs among top receivers. Their story fits Seattle's rise from wild-card contenders to NFC favorites.

"I want to do it for Sam, to prove to all the doubters. My job is to make his life easier." – Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Opponents now game-plan around their link. Defenses must account for Smith-Njigba's yards-after-catch ability and Darnold's arm strength. If they keep connecting, Seattle could advance far. The divisional test against a rival like the 49ers will show if their regular-season form holds. Both players credit the system and each other for the turnaround. They plan to keep the ball moving and let big plays come naturally.